Highest Paid Soccer Players in 2024
The highest paid soccer players in 2024 are Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Neymar Jr., Kylian Mbappé, and Karim Benzema. Their earnings combine guaranteed base salary, signing bonuses, and off-field income from endorsements and business ventures. Forbes and Sportico track these figures using contract disclosures, club financial filings, and interviews with agents and clubs.
Ronaldo leads the list with an estimated annual income above 260 million euros, driven by his contract with Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia and a portfolio of global brand deals. Messi follows closely, with a mix of on-field compensation from Inter Miami CF and off-field earnings from business and media projects. Both players earn more than most top-tier clubs pay their entire squads over a season.
Salary Breakdown by Player
Cristiano Ronaldo's reported annual package with Al Nassr is around 200 million euros in base salary, with additional income from sponsorship deals with brands such as Nike, Herbalife, and CR7 enterprises. His contract includes performance bonuses and a percentage of club commercial revenue, making him the highest paid athlete in the world by total earnings.
Lionel Messi's compensation at Inter Miami CF includes a base salary reported near 45 million euros per year, with additional equity and commercial revenue sharing. His off-field income comes from partnerships with Adidas, PepsiCo, and his own media and lifestyle ventures, placing him second in global soccer earnings.
Contract Structures and Endorsements
How Soccer Salaries Are Structured
Top player contracts typically include a fixed annual base salary, signing bonuses paid over the contract term, and performance incentives tied to goals, appearances, and trophy wins. Many deals also include image rights payments, where the player licenses their name and likeness for club marketing, merchandise, and third-party endorsements.
Neymar Jr.'s contract with Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia is reported to pay over 90 million euros per year in base salary, with additional bonuses and commercial income. Kylian Mbappé's earnings are driven by his Real Madrid deal, which includes a high base salary and performance-linked bonuses, while Karim Benzema's move to Al Ittihad adds a significant guaranteed salary and sponsorship portfolio.
Off-Field Income and Business Ventures
Off-field income for these players comes from long-term endorsement deals, equity stakes in clubs and startups, fashion and fragrance lines, and media content ventures. Messi's business includes a stake in Inter Miami CF and a line of consumer products, while Ronaldo's CR7 brand spans fashion, fragrances, hotels, and gyms across multiple countries.
Forbes and Sportico publish updated salary and earnings estimates each year based on club disclosures, league filings, and interviews with industry sources. These reports show that the highest paid soccer players earn more than most professional athletes in other major leagues, driven by a combination of guaranteed contracts and global brand value.
Sources and Data Reliability
The salary and earnings figures cited are based on publicly available reports from Forbes, Sportico, and club financial disclosures. Contract details are subject to change as players move between clubs or renegotiate terms, and actual earnings may vary based on currency fluctuations and tax structures in different countries.
For the most current data on player earnings and contract terms, refer to the latest annual rankings from Forbes and Sportico, which update their lists based on new contract announcements and financial disclosures. These sources provide the most reliable, fact-based view of who earns the most in professional soccer today.